Material excavator and separator for oil-wells



C. A. BUNKER.

MATERIAL EXCAVATOR AND SEPARATOR FOR OIL WELLS.

APPLICATION FILED AWR. I0, 1920.

Patented Dec. 21, 192()` 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

INVENTOR C. A. BUNKER.

MATERIAL ExcAvAToR AND sEPARAToR FOR 0|L WELLS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I0, 1920.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

NTOR

TTORN z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BUNKER, 0F KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

MATERIAL I-EIXCAV'A'JTOR AND SEPARATOR FOR OIL-WELLS.

Application led April 10,

terial Excavators and Separators for Oil- IVelIS; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full," clear, and exact description of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The cessation of the flow of the oil in oil producing wells is caused principally by an accumulation of sand in the pocket below the well casing, the accumulation being the result of the caving of the sand around the casing, or the sediment carrie-d in by the oil, the only action of the oil pump being upon the accumulation of the oil above the accumulation of sand.

The object of the invention is:

First, to effect the separation of the sand from the oil and water as' a preparatory step in the well and then remove the sand from the well to expose the oil, sand or rock prior to the stimulation of the flow of the oil, or the application of the oil pump.

Second, to loosen the sand and convey the material to a separating receptacle during the sand excavatory movements.

Third, to afford a system of separation forl separating disintegrated ores in ore flotation, and

Fourth, to combine the protected motor operatively with the excavating devices. The invention consists in the novel material excavating and separating apparatus and the construction and combination of parts,

such as will be first fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claims. if.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 and Fig. 1A are vertical sectional views of the lower portions or pocket of an oil'well in two upper and lower sections respectively, the former showing the lower end of the well casing and also showing the novel sand and storage cylinder, the excavator and separator in two upper and lower sectional parts, respectively, the former showing the protected motor and its chamber andthe latter part showing the separator and sand excavator.

Fig. 2 is a, horizontal sectional View of the sand storing cylinder or casing and the casl Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

1920. serial No. 372,917.

ing of the separator taken on the line 2&-2

on Fig. 1A.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the adjacent portions of the sand storage casing and excavator casings taken upon the line 3 3 on Fig. 1A.

' Fig. t is a horizontal sectional view taken through storage cylinder and excavator tubular casing on the line 4-4 on Fig. 1^.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal view taken throughv the storage cylinder and excavator tubular casing on the line 5--5 on Fig. 1A.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the sand storage and excavator tubular casings at right angles to that seen in Fig. 1A, showing one of the spring retainers for supporting the excavator tubular casing in position within the sand storage casing during the operation, also showing in dotted lines the spring retainer detached and the excavator tube dropped below the line of the lower end of the sand storage casing for the discharge of the accumulated sand within t-he excavator casmg.

` Fig. 7 is a detail isometric view of a portion of the lower end of the material conveyvinor tube and the closure.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the thrust bear-v ing between the collars on the elevator shaft showing the balls.

Similar numerals of reference indicate excavating, conveying and separating members.

The side member of the tubular case 10, at its upper end is externally screw threaded at' 11, and fitted to said end is an internally screw threaded flange 13', of the cap 13closing said upper end of the case.

Through the central portion of the cap extends the two prongs of a staple,`15, the ends being'upset at 15', on the inner surface of the cap.

The lower end portion of the side member of case 10,is also externally screw threaded at 10', and closing said lower end of the case is a fiat bottom plate 16, having an annular internally screw threaded coupling 16', one portion extending upwardly and los,

vand closing saidlower end yof the case is a flat bottom plate 17, connected with which plate is an internally screw threaded coupling, 17', one portion extending upwardly and fitted to the screw threaded lower portion 12 of vthe case 12. y

Upon the lower surface of the bottom plate 17, and formed integrally therewith, is

a downward annular extension or cap 18,

smaller in circumference than the plate 17,

and screw threaded at 18. The outer material storing shell or casing of the apparatus is in the form ofvand consists of a hollow cylinder 14, of the same circumference as the hermetical case^12, its upper end being externally screw ,threaded at 19 and fitted to the downwardly extended screw threaded portion 17.", of the coupling 17 The lower end of the hollow cylinder or casing 14, extends-downwardly a considerable distance and forms a receptacle for holding a body. of sand.

The lower portion of the storage casing or cylinder 14, is cut away to form semi-circularopenings 19, for the 'passage of the water and sand into the lower portion of the casing which is also open, the portion 192, forming anchors and preventing av rotation of the cylinder. Within lthe upper end portion of the material4 storing casing 14, is a tubular material separating receiver 20, smaller in circumference than' the casing or cylinder 14, its 'upper end portion being internally screw threaded and secured to the screw threaded portion 18', of the extension or cap 18, on the bottom plate 17, which cap closes the upper end of the tubular receiver 20. The lower'end of the receiver 20, extends downwardly approximately one fifth the distance from the upper to the lower end of the hollow cylinder 14.

Within the lower end of the receiver 20,

veying tube 23, an annular opening 21, ex-

, tending around the tube and between said tube andthe receiver. The lower end of the tube extends downwardly to a' position a short distance upwardly from the line of the lower end of the-hollow casing 14. In the side of the hollow cylinder 14, a short distance upwardly from the line of the lower end of the receiver 20, are siphonage openings 24, for the escape of the water during'the separation process, these, openings being spaced equal distances apart in the direction of the circumference of the cylinder, see Fig. 2. The lower portion of the yreceiver 2O and the upper portion ofthe tube 23, form a trap for thel liquid and material within the case. l

The space 23, between the tube 23, and the inner surface of the outer casing or cylinder 14, forms the receptacle for storing the sand. Upon the lower screw threaded end 23', of the tube 23, is tteda-n internal screw threaded sleeve 25, from the outer surface and lower end of which sleeve extends downwardly a. convex plate or closure 25', to the lower portion of the hollow cylinder 14, its outer edge fitting movably against the in'ner surface of the said cylinder.

With the sleeve 25, is connected by suitable rivets 26', the upper end of a spring plate 26,. the lower end of the plate extending downwardly toward the convex closure 25', and resting uponthe square head of pin 26, which pin extends throu h an opening cylinder, and prevents movement ofthe conveyer tube until the sand is to be discharged as further described. Upon the sleeve 25, are vertical guide flanges 28, and upon the inner side of the casing 14, are securedthe vertical'guide plates 28.

Above the opening 27, in the v,side of the cylinder or casing 14, is a separate opening 26", through which a tool is inserted to force backward spring plate l26, and release the spring plate. y

In order to prevent a turning movement of the tube 23, upon the upper end 20. of the material conveying tube 23, is a collar 29, secured by rivets 29', to the tube, said collar having radial flanges 30, which come into contact with the inner surface of the outer casing or cylinder 14, see Fig. 4. Upon the inner surface of the hollow cylinder 14, are secured the vertical guide strips 31, Vwhich prevent a turning movement of the anges.

Within the material conveying tube 23, is an auger and conveyer 32, which is employed to loosen the sand and at .the same time act as a conveyer, vfor the sand upwardly in the tube 23. The auger as shown consists of a verticalhaft 33, within the axial center of the tube, the lower end of which shaft extends downwardly a short distancevbelowr the line of the lower-end of' the hollow cylinder 14, and around which shaft extends spirally, the excavating and conveying spiral flange 34, which begins at the lower end of shaft 32, and extends upwardly a short distance above the upper end of the tube 23, within the separating reproved type arranged within the case 10, im-

mediately below the top member 13. Angle plates 36, on the motor casing 39 are connected rigidly with the innerside of case 1 0. The driving shaft 37, of the motor is in a vertical position `and is coupled by the joint coupling 38, with the upper end of the auger shaft 33.

Above and below the outer case 39,l are shown the upper and lower end fields 40 and 41 respectively. The case 39 serves to prevent dirt and liquid impairing the operation of the motor.

In order to relieve the weight of the motor and compensate for the upward thrust upon i the auger 32, during an excavating movement within the case 12, and connected rigidly with the upper surface of. the bottom plate, is a stuffing box 42, extending around shaft 33, and internally screw threaded at 42. Within the box is-itted a screw threaded plug 43, having a head 44, larger in circumference than the plug through which head and plug the shaftV extends.

Above the upper surface of 'cap 44, and mounted on shaft 33 is a plate 46, having openings 46 in which openings are bea-ring balls 46, see Fig; 8. Above the balls 460, and mounted on said shaft 33, is a collar 47, `raving aneck 48, connected rigidly therewith, a pin 48', extending through said neck into shaft 33. Within the stuilingbox 42, is a packing 49,. l

NIn the upper portion of case'12 and secured to the lower surface of the bottom plate 16, to case 1,0,is a stuffing box 33', extending around shaft 33, and externally screw threadedaand provided with a flanged screw threaded cap 33o, fitted to said stuffing box. Within the box is a packing 33".

The case 12 is filled with lubricating oil. lVithin the separating receptacle 20, and extending around shaft 33, is a convex collar 50, which^is located near the openin for shaft 33, and secured by a pin 50 which collar serves to protect the shaft opening from the sand and the wear on the shaft and also forms the upper thrust resistance to the shaft 33.

53 indicates the well shaft and52 the well casing.

53 indicates the pocket or basin between the lower end of the well casingand the oil sand or rock.

At the lupper end of the well shaft and upon the surface of the ground is a cable winding druni 54, and a standard 55, at the upper end of which standard is a pulley 56.

57 indicates al steam engine and 58 an endless band which extends over a band pulley 59, on the driving shaft of the engine and also over the band wheel 60, on the drum shaft 61--which shaft is mounted rotatably on the standards 61.

62 indicates a. hoisting cable for the excavating, storing and separating apparatus described which is looped over the staple l5, on the top plate 13 of the motor inclosing case 10, at one end and said loop secured by a band 63. This cable carries within a casing 64, surrounding said cable an insulated cord which extends through a small opening 65, in the cap 13, from which cord electric conducting wires 66-66 extend to the electric motor 35. The upper end of the cable 62, is wound upon the drum 54, in coils of an aggregate length 68-68 leading outwardly from the generator 67, which generator is also operated by the engine 57.

In operation the apparatus is lowered by means of the cable 62, within the casing 52, of the well 53, until the lower end of the hollow cylinder or casing 14, come into contact with the material to be excavated.

1he wires 66-66 being now connected with the wires 68--68, from the generator 67, the motor 35 within case 10, is energized and rotary movement from the shaft of the motor communicated to shaft 33 of the auger and the sand is loosened and carried upwardly in tube 23 with the water in suspension within the separating case 20,

vwhere the liquid and material is trapped which point the sand accumulates in a body..

During the deposit of the sand and water upon the closure the water rises to the top and this continuesY until the space 23, is

filled at which time the water level in the revceiver 20, remains stationary; the surplus water being siphoned oil' through the openings 24, in the case 14, the circuit ofthe Water being continued through the openings 190, up the tube 23, carrying with it the loose sand, the lower end ofthe casing 14, resting at all times on the sand at the bottom of the well. The auger revolves continuously during the excavation while the points 19 or the lower end of the cylinder 14, keeps the cylinder from any rotary movement contrary to the direction of movement of the auger, while the auger is boring into the sand and at the same time causes an agitationof the material.

When the space between the tube 23 and the hollow cylinder 14, is filled by the sand, the wires 68-68 on the generator are disconnected from the Wires 66-66 on` the drum and the drum y54, is rotated to wind the cable 62 on the drum, and the apparatus i's raised to the surface of the ground. The spring catch 26, is now released by the insertion of a tool through opening 26X, and the tube 23, falls under the weight of the sand upon the ground carrying with it the closure which is removed from casing f 14, into the position seen in Fig. 6 and the rso sand is discharged upon the ground from the casing. rI`he tube and closure are then replaced and the apparatus is in readiness for lowering into the well for a repeated operation.

" As a separator for other uses and systems, the apparatus may be introduced within any ore holding tank or basin and the agitation and separating of ore and lime water or with water and oil and complete ore separation effected with such metallic bases in solution as are commonly used for flotation, at the Sametime subjecting the oleaginous ores to constant circulation and then removing thel metals precipitated. Such modifications of the invention ma be employed as are within the scope o the appended claims.

Having" fully described my invention, what I now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

.1. In a material elevator and separator, the combination with the outer casing having a top member, of a material separating receiver, having material separating openings, a tube extending within saidy recelver, means for forcing the material and liquid through the tube, and means whereby a trap is formed for the material and liquid within the casing at the bottom ofthe receiver and the upper portion of .the tube for a separation process. f

2. In a material elevator and separator for oil wells, the combination with th'e louter casing having a top member, of a material separating receiver having material separatingopenings and a removable vclosure for the casing below the receiver and means for conveying the material past the closure of the material separating recelver.

3. In a material excavator and separatorfor oil wells the combination with an outer casing having a top member, of a material separating receiver within said casing, having material separating openings, a tube leading upwardly within said receiver and a removable closure for thelower endof said outer casing extending from said tube, and a material excavating device within the said tube having a discharging portionl extending upwardly in the ydirection of said receiver. p i

4. In a material elevator for oil wells comprising an outer casing' having a' top member, and a tube within the said casing having discharge openings, a closure between said tube and casing, means for elevating the material and discharging it upon the closure, and means for opening the closure and discharging the material.

5. In a material elevator for oil wells, the combination with the outer casing having a top member, and with alreceiver for the material having -material separating openings, of a material conveying tube, means for forcing the material up the tube within' '7. In a material excavating and separating apparatus the combination with the outer casing having a top member and with a receiverjor the material having material separating openings, and with aA material conveying tube leadin within said opening to said receiver, of a s eeve on its lower end and a closure to said cylinder upon said sleeve, and means for securing said sleeve removably upon said tube.

8. In a material excavating and separating apparatus the combination with an outer casing having'a-l top member, Aa receiver for the material having material separating openings within saidouter casing and a material conveying tube within said casing leading to vsaid `receiver having an external screw threaded lower end, of an internally screw threaded sleeve on said end and a closure for said outer casing carried by said sleeve.

9. In a material elevating and separating apparatus the combination with an outer casing having a top member and with a receiver for the material within said casing having a material separating opening in the bottom of said receiver, of a material conducting tube having its upper Aend extending upwardly within the said openings, a removable sleeve on the lower end of said tube, and a closure for the lower portion of said outer casing carried by said sleeve.

10. A material excavating and separating apparatus, comprising an outer casing having a top member, a material separating receiver within saidV casing, connected therewith and an excavator tube having its upper end leading within said receiver, said receiver having a material separating openin the bottom thereof co-axial to said 1n tu e, a material excavating and conveying auger within said tube and extending below said tube in one direction and lwithin said material separating receiver in the other direction, a power transmitting rotary sha-ft within said casing connected with said auger, a removable closure on the end of said tube for the lower portion of said outer casino; said casing having openings for the siphonage of the water above the line of the outlet oi the excavator tube within said material separating receiver.

protecting the shaft opening in the top member from the material.

12. In a material excavating apparatus, the combination with the outer casing having a top member, of a removable material conveying tube within said casing and a Aclosure for the lower end of said casing -upon said tube, and releasable means supporting said tube within the said casing.

13. In a material excavating apparatus, the combination with the o'uter` casingV for receiving the excavated material, of a tube for conveying the material upwardly within the casing, and a closure upon said tube for the lower portion of said casing, means for excavating and conveying the material within said tube, and means for supporting said tube in a releasable position within the easing. i f

14. In a material excavating apparatus, the combination with an outer casing for receiving the excavated material having a top member, of a material conveying tube within said casing, a collar upon its upper end, guiding devices for said collar upon said casing, means for excavating and conveying the excavated materialwithin said tube and a closure for the lower end of said casing and a releasable securing device for said closure engaging with said casing.

15. The combination in a material excavating apparatus with the outer casing and with a `closure at its lower end of an excavating auger within the casing extending through said closure, means for imparting hrotary motion to said auger, and downward extensions upon the lower' end of said casy ing adapted to `anchor the casing from a counter rotation to the direction of movement of said au er.

HARLES A. BUN KER. 

